New Metallica Album Could Be Two Years Away

LOS ANGELES, CA - JANUARY 25: Members of "Metallica" from left, Jason Newstead, Kirk Hammet, Lars Ulrich and James Hetfield hold their trophy 25 January 1993 at the 20th Annual American Music Awards in Los Angeles, CA. (Photo credit should read VINCE BUCCI/AFP/Getty Images)

VINCE BUCCI/AFP/Getty Image

Metallica drummer Lars Ulrich says his bandmate was being optimistic in saying the band could have a new album out next year. The rocker tells South Africa’s Channel 24 he’d be surprised if the group has their next disc in stores before 2015. He explains that it takes them “a while to make records,” and adds that they’re currently “so busy with so many other things.”

But Ulrich says Metallica hasn’t scrapped their recording career, and will “get around” to their next album “eventually.” Guitarist Kirk Hammett recently told GulfNews.com the band was “hoping” to have their next studio project in stores in 2014. But he also admitted he wasn’t sure if that would be “a reality.”

Those “other things” occupying Metallica’s time lately include their 3-D movie “Through The Never,” which will be arriving in theaters this fall. The band just wrapped up a series of shows in South Africa on Saturday. Metallica’s next album will be the follow up to their 2008 effort, “Death Magnetic.”